Death of young women due to heart attack increases, says Brazilian Society of Cardiology

According to cardiologist Gláucia Maria Moraes de Oliveira, one of the coordinators of the positioning, SBC decided to develop specific guidance for women because it has been studying the particularities of the female public for some time. However, there was a lack of a formal document that brought together all the available evidence.

The cardiologist emphasizes: “Heart attacks in women are underdiagnosed and undertreated. Furthermore, the results of this heart attack are poor because the outcomes are different in men and women.”

Ischemic heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for both men and women in Brazil and around the world. It is estimated that around 380 thousand Brazilians lose their lives every year due to cardiovascular diseases.

Heart diseases in women require different treatment

The importance of correctly identifying symptoms was highlighted by the American Heart Association (AHA) in a scientific statement published last year. Men and women can present different signs and symptoms in cardiovascular diseases, so it is crucial to offer the appropriate treatment for each case.

Heart disease: be aware of the different symptoms for men and women

Every year, around 380 people die as a result of heart disease in Brazil alone. It is important to be aware of the symptoms that differ for men and women.

SBC's position reveals that women have significantly lower rates of angioplasty and, unfortunately, higher in-hospital mortality rates. Furthermore, the prevalence of MINOCA (myocardial infarction without coronary artery obstruction) is also higher among women.

Another worrying fact presented in the SBC position is that ischemic heart diseases are among the most common causes of disability in women, second only to disorders related to pregnancy.

Women also have a higher frequency of non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as mental stress and depression, in addition to risk factors inherent to sex, such as pregnancy and menopause.

“The central message of the position is that mortality from ischemic heart disease has been increasing substantially among young women. One third of Brazilian women die from cardiovascular disease, the majority from a heart attack. These women need to have access to adequate prevention, treatment and rehabilitation protocols”, says the doctor.

Less than 10% of women have their risk factors for heart disease controlled, especially hypertension, according to studies. Furthermore, less than half receive adequate drug treatment, and adherence to treatment and cardiac rehabilitation is low.

Women: watch out for heart disease!!

To combat this reality, it is essential to disseminate quality information about cardiovascular diseases in women, experts argue.

Patient engagement in healthcare is essential to improving the situation. “It is essential that medical education actions are disseminated throughout the country, so that the particularities of cardiovascular diseases in women are adequately treated”, concluded the cardiologist.

(Source: Einstein Agency)

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